[middleofnowhere]

You're in Canada - so you probably can't carry a tazer anyway, eh? Those of us in the Schutzhund Club were surprized to find you can't carry knives in Canada. (not so much "can't" but illegal to do so.)

 

[shepherdmom]

She's getting pent up. This heat wave could extend past the 15 days to 30 or 60 days.Severe concern about 100 year forest fire risk.

Any ideas how to help her? I don't drive, so we're stuck in the concrete jungle. I have two small window ac's that are giving their all and keeping it under 80.

This is terrible isn't it. I'm in Northern Nevada and we are experiencing same. We have put up portable A/C's two of them and are using curtains to contain air so dogs can get in and out of the cool air conditioning in our bedroom and living room. The rest of the house is just hot. Nothing we can do swamp cooler just can't keep up.

Being from Arizona let me warn you watch her pads on the hot concrete. Try doggie booties if you have to take her out on the concrete or asphalt.

Kiddie pools work wonders. If you have a small yard toss her toy into the pool. Let her go get it and come back. She will shake water all over you and you will both be cooler. LOL

Squirt bottles full of cool water to mist you and the dogs down when you do have to go somewhere. In Arizona you used to be able to get bandana's you could freeze and tie around you and dog these help as well although I haven't seen them out here you might be able to order them online.

Good luck!

 

[Stonevintage]

104 degrees North Idaho - still three hours to go till the hottest part of the day. Ironman is today 2 thousand runners (about 5 blocks from my house is the finish line)They are dropping like flies due the heat. To top it off, about 1/2 mile from the finish line next to one of the running portions - a semi overturned and dumped it's load of BEES on the highway

There is concern about the bees getting to the runners. Fire dept has to be in plastic suits (keep from getting stung) putting water on the hives - what a mess! Hospital is full cramps and dehydration. SAG buses can't keep up. Is every one else in this heat wave having fun to??

 

[shepherdmom]

104 degrees North Idaho - still three hours to go till the hottest part of the day. Ironman is today 2 thousand runners (about 5 blocks from my house is the finish line)They are dropping like flies due the heat. To top it off, about 1/2 mile from the finish line next to one of the running portions - a semi overturned and dumped it's load of BEES on the highway

There is concern about the bees getting to the runners. Fire dept has to be in plastic suits (keep from getting stung) putting water on the hives - what a mess! Hospital is full cramps and dehydration. SAG buses can't keep up. Is every one else in this heat wave having fun to??

Dry storm went through last night over 2 dozen new fires. More predicted for this afternoon.

My yard is dying. I can't and shouldn't keep up with the watering when we are in a drought but I had over 100 big tall trees. Wonder how many I will loose this year?

Oooh boy fun fun... :sun::sun::sun:

 

[Nigel]

I hate normal summers, so yeah, this one is really sucking. We got out early to run all 4 dogs yesterday and that worked out well. Today I had a few hang ups and didn't get out till 930 and it was already 87, so we kept it short. Right now it's 105, way above normal. Should have taken that job in Alberta.

 

[Stonevintage]

Dry storm went through last night over 2 dozen new fires. More predicted for this afternoon.

My yard is dying. I can't and shouldn't keep up with the watering when we are in a drought but I had over 100 big tall trees. Wonder how many I will loose this year?

Oooh boy fun fun... :sun::sun::sun:

That's the worst - dry storm. Stay Safe. I just went out back and we've got some rather impressive thunder head clouds building to the East but no call for rain, that I've seen.

I've got a 80 foot Fir, 60' Incense cedars and some mature pines in my yard. What is the best way to water them, do you know? My grass & weeds crisped to nothing yesterday (but I bet the weeds will still sprout next year). Up to 80 now in my little blocked off cubby, the two mini window ac's and the fan are trying their best. Summer's being great about the whole thing.

 

[Stonevintage]

I hate normal summers, so yeah, this one is really sucking. We got out early to run all 4 dogs yesterday and that worked out well. Today I had a few hang ups and didn't get out till 930 and it was already 87, so we kept it short. Right now it's 105, way above normal. Should have taken that job in Alberta.

Ha!, yea - Summer and I tried to play fetch this morning. That was short lived, it got hot so quick. I'm also thinking this summer is shot - At least now, we know the first 1/2 of July is 95 or better from here to the 15th. I am extremely bummed to. I never liked the 4 weeks after the 4th because of the heat, but in August, normally, the temps start getting cooler at night. At best, we may have some crazy thunderstorms in August if and when we get the weather pattern shift we need.

I searched the weatherunderground map showing all weather stations and even at the stations in the middle of the forests are ranging in the mid 90's. The only place I found was Hoquim on the coast at 82 but.... no.

Can you imagine the fire danger? That fire we had on Tubbs Hill last week, a tanker drop was requested from IDL and one wasn't available? That system's all run regionally now, out of Boise, I think. Where are all the air tankers - out of this area fighting fires elsewhere?

 

[David Winners]

Nosework, a treadmill, and regular exercise in the heat will get you through. Plenty of water is important. Working dogs run missions all summer in the middle east. They can acclimate if you take it slow.

 

[Stonevintage]

Nosework, a treadmill, and regular exercise in the heat will get you through. Plenty of water is important. Working dogs run missions all summer in the middle east. They can acclimate if you take it slow.

Hey David, thank you for the tips. Nosework for sure. As far as regular exercise in the heat, Not - you are talking about taking a dog used to 60-70 degrees and running him in 95-110 degrees. I would try to acclimate, if this were the norm (my dogs were ok to change from Tahoe to South Texas (gradually), but it's 30 degrees above the norm and a freakish thing. Up here, we mostly need to check our dogs often when the temps get below 8 degrees or so.

To me, there's no way to prepare with 10 day notice, we didn't know this was coming. Am I correct in understanding that at the training center, initially - there are "cooling trailers" the dogs are put in between training sessions?

If this is so, could I possibly run her for 10 min and then bring her into 80 degrees to cool? I'm just not sure that would be enough. Thanks

 

[Stonevintage]

104 degrees North Idaho - still three hours to go till the hottest part of the day. Ironman is today 2 thousand runners (about 5 blocks from my house is the finish line)They are dropping like flies due the heat. To top it off, about 1/2 mile from the finish line next to one of the running portions - a semi overturned and dumped it's load of BEES on the highway

Well, Ironman is starting to wrap up for the majority. They are going to the medical tents with multiple bee stings. I guess they are IronMen

The bee accident happened about 1/2 mile from my house. I understand the last semi crash yesterday released 2 million bees. Wonder what this will bring to our neighborhood? The last plan 1/2 hour ago was to spray foam on the hives. Who knows 5 hours later what good this will do? and the bees are kinda of pissed.....:
heat, fire, pestilence - great first week of summer.....

 

[angelas]

I've had the same problem. I'm taking care of three high energy dogs as well (two Labs and a GSD). Thankfully the heat had kept them low key and we walk after midnight. Granted I worry about coyotes more than junkies in this little town.

 

[Stonevintage]

I've had the same problem. I'm taking care of three high energy dogs as well (two Labs and a GSD). Thankfully the heat had kept them low key and we walk after midnight. Granted I worry about coyotes more than junkies in this little town.

Wow - how are your 3 doing walking late at night?(I may become one of Patsy Cline's girls too). Don't think coyotes would mess with 3, but - Dont' trust the little coy's - if they need, they will get. Should we don black capes and just play the vamp part? Photos!

 

[angelas]

They're doing good. Spend the day melted to the floor in front or underneath the fans. By midnight the last of the light is gone from the sky and the pavement/dirt roads have cooled off quite a bit. I've been doing about and hour with them, the two older dogs and then the younger one by himself. It does help that I am a time zone east of my normal one and I don't usually even think of bedtime until 1am my time.

If the old guy didn't have sutures right now I'd break out the hose and water down the shaded patio out back for them.

 

[Stonevintage]

They're doing good. Spend the day melted to the floor in front or underneath the fans. By midnight the last of the light is gone from the sky and the pavement/dirt roads have cooled off quite a bit. I've been doing about and hour with them, the two older dogs and then the younger one by himself. It does help that I am a time zone east of my normal one and I don't usually even think of bedtime until 1am my time.

If the old guy didn't have sutures right now I'd break out the hose and water down the shaded patio out back for them.

I see how far North you are. Can't imagine how wonderful that must be, all those hours of daylight. That's not going nocturnal, that's going with natures light. You are blessed.

 

[angelas]

A blessing and a curse. The later the sun goes down, the earlier it comes up. I am not a morning person. Thankfully, neither are the dogs.

 

[Stonevintage]

A blessing and a curse. The later the sun goes down, the earlier it comes up. I am not a morning person. Thankfully, neither are the dogs.

Ha! I understand. I have 3 sets of "black out" shades that I WILL put up next spring. Getting up at 4:30am (dawn) leaves something to be desired, particularly that the skunks and ***** aren't quite done with their time zone yet and Summer can smell them and wants to bite them
.
I wonder, in your land of the midnight sun - are the birds doing bird things? Squirrels, wolves, bears and coyotes? Do they run 20+ hours per day or do they take naps? I do - run 5-12, snooze 12-1:30 - run till 10:00.

Early this month at 5:00am, iI had a clicking bat brush my ear lobe on his way to where ever. I have very fine hair and in my life, have had two bats get stuck in my hair and need to be untangled. Today, I would just lop my hair off at the roots if it happened again and wear a nice straw summer hat for a few months

 

[angelas]

There is a robin nesting in a potted plant right by the front door. She is making sure other birds know they are not welcome. We should have babies this week.

Haven't seen hide nor hair of a squirrel. The fox mama down the road looks like she's working 24/7.

I've seen coyotes out all times of the day and bears only during the day (and I'm perfectly ok with that).

 

[Stonevintage]

There is a robin nesting in a potted plant right by the front door. She is making sure other birds know they are not welcome. We should have babies this week.

Haven't seen hide nor hair of a squirrel. The fox mama down the road looks like she's working 24/7.

I've seen coyotes out all times of the day and bears only during the day (and I'm perfectly ok with that).

I guess the "opportunists" will also be so, gotta admire the fox for that. I have had 2 encounters with bear at night. I would not wish it on anyone. One was with a "dangerous bear" in N Calif. Apparently they spray paint them white so you can see them coming. Myself and equally ignorant husband at the time illegally camped in the back country and it came after our 14 week old pup at about 3:00 am. We survived throwing firewood logs at it. God, I can remember waking up and hearing it coming and my puppy growling and my husband looking out the tent and saying it's a GD polar bear...now it's funny

The 2nd time was in Glacier Park - hard side camping only - Grizzly - our food was stored properly locked n the front of the truck in a cooler, but we were in the back in a cab-over. I heard it coming, dead leaves and small twigs noise, seemed to inhale and exhale with each stride. Lighting 50 string firecrackers and gunshots sent him away. That smell, like rotting sheepskin is true.

 

[Stonevintage]

woo-hoo 9 in the evening and its 91 degrees. Haven't seen or heard a bird or squirrel or any wildlife since this freaky heat wave started, where are they?

 

[David Winners]

Hey David, thank you for the tips. Nosework for sure. As far as regular exercise in the heat, Not - you are talking about taking a dog used to 60-70 degrees and running him in 95-110 degrees. I would try to acclimate, if this were the norm (my dogs were ok to change from Tahoe to South Texas (gradually), but it's 30 degrees above the norm and a freakish thing. Up here, we mostly need to check our dogs often when the temps get below 8 degrees or so.

To me, there's no way to prepare with 10 day notice, we didn't know this was coming. Am I correct in understanding that at the training center, initially - there are "cooling trailers" the dogs are put in between training sessions?

If this is so, could I possibly run her for 10 min and then bring her into 80 degrees to cool? I'm just not sure that would be enough. Thanks

As long as the dog can quit panting for a couple seconds, such as when you call it's name, you are fine. You can invest in a rectal thermometer and temp the dog during exercise. Stay under 104 F. Take the dog in to cool down if it starts actively seeking shade as well.

Cool down sessions are great. Shade and water are crucial. 80 degrees is plenty cool for recovery as long as there is plenty of fresh water. No amount of acclamation will reduce the bodies need for water.

Know your dog and err on the side of safety.